Do you want Nathan Jones to Manage Southampton Football Club?

[Rivers]

I'm not even sure if there is any point in this, given that it seems clear our Club don't value us as supporters anymore, but at least we'll know we did what we could to make our feelings known unequivocally.

They likely won't bother reading through a whole topic to see what we think, but a poll with a very clear outcome as to supporter opinion on such a crucial appointment is surely worth a try?

Maybe we can just prevent the Club from making one of the most monumental f*ck ups in our history.

It is abundantly clear from reading the forum how strongly our fanbase feels against Nathan Jones taking charge of our Club, so let's keep the options completely unambiguous.

Do you want Nathan Jones to Manage Southampton Football Club?

No.

Yes.

Unsure.

 

Edited 9 November, 2022 by Rivers

[Singapore Saint]

There's no guarantee of success even if we appointed a top top name like Sir Alex or Pep. So let's just get behind whoever SR eventually choose and buckle up for the inevitable wild ride!

[OttawaSaint]

I put no. I don't see how playing hoofball and badge kissing with mid table Luton can possibly translate to success in the EPL.

Think we have an opportunity to get in a top manager here. Fuck this up and we'll be dredging around for Jones and his ilk when we are struggling in the Champ.

Edited 9 November, 2022 by OttawaSaint

[STEVEADAMS]

I honestly can’t believe we’re even here having to discuss this with all respect to Luton I can’t see anything that suggests this guy is the right man for us. Feels like we’re imploding if this is our aims. Way too risky what are they on at SR.

[MAY-Z]

I voted unsure

 

you can’t have done what he has at Luton without having something about you, and you definitely can’t succeed in the premier league if you never get given a chance.

 

But it doesn’t seem the right time for a quite speculative appointment

[StrangelyBrown]

I simply can't believe that Nathan Jones is the man the club has had lined up for some time as we've been led to believe.

He seems like a big gamble to me at the wrong time, plus from what I've read so far he plays a brand of football that I'd hoped I'd never see again at saints.

[saint1977]

With regard to football style and tactics, it depends on how adaptable he is. Someone like Warnock got badged as long ball until he got a team together at Sheffield Utd who could pass the ball, and they did. On the other hand, if you believe Les (ha!), Pellegrino promised a return to high pressing attacking football at interview but then just did what he wanted to anyway with dreadful results. 

Feels very risky when there’s the likes of Benitez out there highly proven at the PL level and with the contacts (not a bloke who worked at Man City for 25 minutes) to get January loans and signings to pull out of trouble. But Jones could also provide the fire that the club has been lacking. JWP is going to be crucial for it to work - Dave Jones lasted longer than Sturrock coming from the lower leagues partly because of a good first season but also because even though MLT was fading, he got him onside at the club quickly so others bought in. 

Shields is a good example of where SR’s judgement is worrying and unproven though - Chelsea change staff like cafes make lattes, so I don’t see that as a reliable guide. What I saw was a striker for Stoke last night more raw than Sam Gallagher was when he left Saints and they wanted to spunk £25m on him. I also see a keeper who should have been £3m back up for £12m in the Saints goal. 

[SNSUN]

Voted unsure as clearly SR see something most of the rest of us don't but was verging on voting No.

 

We need the fanbase united right now going into the most important six months of our recent history and this appointment won't do it.

 

Additionally we have the most important transfer window of our history coming where we need quality attacking recruits... is Nate the man to attract them? I can't see it. We'll be lucky to get Brereton Diaz at this rate. 

 

Lastly I voted unsure simply because I don't know enough about him. But from what I read it's unlikely he's going to become the next Arsene Wenger. 

 

The very best I'm hoping for is a Strachan type fit but even he had Prem experience.

[Miltonaggro]

I can’t see a single clear attribute that Nathan Jones has that would suggest he is the right man to manage Saints at this time, not one. This is likely an Ankersen decision and I genuinely wonder if there is something lost in translation here, Brentford in the championship is one thing but don’t see any of Frank in Jones. However, the comparisons to Sturrock are quite startling in that you seem to have a board under pressure attempting to be clever whilst saving money on a candidate that to most fans would appear as a square peg in a round hole. Last 24 hours I’ve watched as much of Luton Town and Jones’s interviews as I can bear and nothing has convinced me otherwise. Turning a team of lower division journeymen into a plucky unit that gives bigger clubs a game is nothing like taking a group of talented but underperforming premier league players and moulding them to win matches in probably the most competitive league in the world. I hope the club sees sense in that they have the luxury of this World Cup window to get this absolutely right. 

[John B]

As we are very likely to be relegated he may like Nigel Adkins get us promoted from the Championship 

 

I was sceptical of Adkins when he was appointed as I was happy with Pardew who had assembled a decent squad.

 

I was also sceptical about Poch but thought Adkins should be replaced when we were in the PL

 

However if we had won a couple of more games and Ralph had resigned to go to another club and we had a decent striker I would have thought employing Jones would be madness

[CB Fry]

If he gets us relegated (which on the balance of probabilities is the most likely outcome) then I think it highly unlikely that the fan base will accept him staying on because he's managed in the Championship before.

I am sure this poll will show collectively he is not our choice so if he fails that will be it.

He'll be gone.

[Green]

As noted the club do not care about what the fans think so it doesn’t really matter but for me it’s a definite no. I just can’t see what would make anyone think that Nathan Jones has what it takes to be a top flight manager and appointing him would be a huge mistake. 
 

It’s sad to look at the quality of manager going to clubs such as Brighton and Wolves while we scratch around in the reduced prices section keeping our fingers crossed that he might be a bargain buy. 

[Toussaint]

47 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

 

 

We need the fanbase united right now going into the most important six months of our recent history and this appointment won't do it.

 

Additionally we have the most important transfer window of our history coming where we need quality attacking recruits... is Nate the man to attract them? I can't see it. We'll be lucky to get Brereton Diaz at this rate. 

 

Lastly I voted unsure simply because I don't know enough about him. But from what I read it's unlikely he's going to become the next Arsene Wenger. 

 

The very best I'm hoping for is a Strachan type fit but even he had Prem experience.

I’m not sure anything will do that, we are now a divided angry  mob. I wanted Dyche, but I’m sure that appointment would have been equally controversial. We are we we are, but the club have made this problem, a botched transfer window and keeping Ralph on for half a season. The person we need now is probably not the same person we should have engaged immediately as last  season ended.

I’m going to get fully behind Jones, anything else is counter productive. He needs our support if we are to beat relegation.

 As a footnote, I am really concerned with regard to the competence and intentions of the new ownership regime. 

Edited 9 November, 2022 by Toussaint

[SNSUN]

8 minutes ago, John B said:

As we are very likely to be relegated he may like Nigel Adkins get us promoted from the Championship 

 

I was sceptical of Adkins when he was appointed as I was happy with Pardew who had assembled a decent squad.

 

I was also sceptical about Poch but thought Adkins should be replaced when we were in the PL

 

However if we had won a couple of more games and Ralph had resigned to go to another club and we had a decent striker I would have thought employing Jones would be madness

If we are heading for relegation towards the end of the season I wouldn't be surprised to see us sack Jones and bring in a panic manager, ironically someone we'd probably take now over Jones. If we do get relegated during Jones's tenure I'd be very surprised to see us with him next season, but who knows with SR's decision making.

 

Jones is a manager we should be looking at IF we already were in the Championship, not one we can keep until we ARE in the Championship. It just seems like we're building for the future... in a different league.

[WestcountrySaint]

Firstly, I think in our current position with a poor squad we'd struggle to get anyone better.

It is well reported that talented young players have a lot of time for him, and he seems to have the hardened character our squad needs to get some fire and grit in to them. Selles has shown at times this season he's a good enough tactician to get us a result, and I hope they'll make a good team. I'll be disappointed if we lost Selles due to his appointment and would sway the above to an 'no'.

The negativity amongst our fan base at this stage is dissapointing, let's judge his ability in the Premier League when he's had a chance. Yes, his time at Stoke was poor, but he's still proven to be a very good manager at championship level with little resource and he should be judged on his overall stats which are very good and could keep us up if he makes us hard to beat again.

[Killers Knee]

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at getting into European competitions?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at mid-table mediocrity in the Premiership?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at great escapes from the foot of the premiership?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at running a Championship side on a tight budget?  Yes

 

[Nolan]

Maybe rephrase the question to.

Do you know more about football that the professionals who run the club?

Yes

No

Unsure

[egg]

3 minutes ago, Nolan said:

Maybe rephrase the question to.

Do you know more about football that the professionals who run the club?

Yes

No

Unsure

These are the people who brought Bazunu in as a PL starter, Larios as a PL ready full back, and provided Edozie and Mara to help us score the goals we need. Yep, I'll question their judgement all day long.

Onto the actual question, an easy no. The blokes tactics are crude, his playing style awful, and he's only ever played and managed at lower levels. We need someone to hit the ground running. A mid season experiment when we're in the shit, is not what we need. 

 

[CB Fry]

16 minutes ago, WestcountrySaint said:

Firstly, I think in our current position with a poor squad we'd struggle to get anyone better.

Four years ago, with a poor squad and in our exact current position, we appointed a man who had recently finished second in the Bundesliga and had Champions League experience, and we were paying him six million a year.

 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I’ve always been prepared to give all new managers a chance (except Wigley) who was such an obvious Lowe mistake) but I really do have misgivings about Jones. We need a proven manager who has experience of PL survival as we are in a perilous situation. Jones will be literally learning on the job and that’s not going to work. Sean Dyche (yes I know far from perfect) would be a short term solution. 
I just hope the Board know what they are doing and I am not sure they do. 

[Daft Kerplunk]

2 minutes ago, Nolan said:

Maybe rephrase the question to.

Do you know more about football that the professionals who run the club?

Yes

No

Unsure

I’m unsure on this choice as there are good qualities, some odd media performances and some worrying comments about style of football, which I don’t know about as I’ve not seen Luton or Stoke play when he’s been in charge. Thankfully we don’t have any real stars at the club so the ego management might be easier for him and they might like his more energetic style and it being less about him that it was with Ralph. For all Ralph’s nice guy to the fans appearances, he was apparently very difficult to like behind the scenes. 
 

As for the question about whether I trust the ahem ‘professionals’ running the club? Absolutely not. Serenely confident media appearances and interviews don’t dress up the fact that we’ve been in an unnecessary decline for years with some bad decision making and dithering that’s cost us, let alone the utterly dreadful defeatist rhetoric. SRs biggest piece of work is now to also get rid of the rubbish ruining (not a typo) the show even though it was Semmens et so that got to choose the ownership that kept them in their managerial positions. They are not the right stewards for this club. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Voted no, When Ralph left I was confident that we would make a statement of intent, I thought it was going to be the moment SR finally announce themselves properly. Well, it transpires that they have announced themselves, as another cheap ownership option that this club seems always able to attract. 

[Nolan]

Been told that Saints have had analysts watching Luton for a long time. They probably know more about Luton than Lutons analysts. this isn't a spur of the moment thing.

 

[FarehamSaintJames]

I’ve put no. And I’m basing that on the fact that his current Luton players throw everything at the opposition and put everything on the line.

This Southampton team won’t do that. And I don’t see that working for Jones or the players. I think if he gets offered and takes the job it’ll be a case of “we’ll give you some money, but the transfers will largely be down to the recruitment team and you’ll have to mainly work with what you’ve got”.

It is a risk I think. When we come back from the break we immediately have four or five winnable games, and we HAVE to get points, very quickly.

The fans will turn very quickly if we don’t put in respectable performances and get results in the new year, especially after 99% of the squad won’t be at the World Cup so he’ll have had plenty of time with them.

I just don’t see it being a good move for him. And I’d like to see a bigger, more attractive name come in and attract a slightly higher calibre of player.

[HarvSFC]

Brentford found/had a better alternate option in the Championship in Frank, which would imply we could find a better alternate option in the Premier League.

[CB Fry]

11 minutes ago, Nolan said:

Been told that Saints have had analysts watching Luton for a long time. They probably know more about Luton than Lutons analysts. this isn't a spur of the moment thing.

 

Fine.

I think in that case lets be clear that this is considered decision, this is the guy Sports Republic really want.

Its not about constraints or budget, this is an active choice they are making that this is definitely the guy.

 

Personally watching a middling Championship team playing over and over again doesn't really tell you much about what this guy will be like in nationally broadcast press conferences, or attracting new players, or dealing with multi millionaires who expect to be primed to join Champions League clubs in two years time. If the only thing SR are looking at is whether they like his diamond formation or not, then we're fucked.

[Saint Garrett]

Gone for unsure. 

Would I rather have someone with a higher profile, who could attract bigger names in Jan? absolutely yes.

But he seems like a decent bloke, who is a decent man manager, and will hopefully get these guys on side.  Sport Republic have clearly done a huge amount of research on him and been tracking him for a long time, so stats must say something positive...but whether he's good enough tactically, I have no idea. 

I'll tell you if I think he's a good appointment at the end of the season !

[Winnersaint]

No to Harry Hoofball!

[Chewy]

7 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Gone for unsure. 

Would I rather have someone with a higher profile, who could attract bigger names in Jan? absolutely yes.

But he seems like a decent bloke, who is a decent man manager, and will hopefully get these guys on side.  Sport Republic have clearly done a huge amount of research on him and been tracking him for a long time, so stats must say something positive...but whether he's good enough tactically, I have no idea. 

I'll tell you if I think he's a good appointment at the end of the season !

Agree. He’s not a “name” that seems appealing but we have no idea how they’ll turn out. I bet if we’d appointed Gerrard a year ago the fan-base would have been broadly supportive. 
I do have reservations like all so I’m not going to vote Yes, but equally I’m in no position to write the guy off with a No.

I obviously hope it’s a masterstroke appointment.

[Yorkshire Saint]

No from me, but this was before I watched his post match interview on Sky last night. With this I will say unsure. It does not feel right but he seems authentic so who knows what we might get. 

He will get my complete support until he doesn't.

 

Edited 9 November, 2022 by Yorkshire Saint

[Colinjb]

When he is announced, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.....

But this does not feel at all right. Can only hope the analysis done ahead of this appointment has been done accurately..... But I truly beleive we will be in the Championship next season.

[Singapore Saint]

47 minutes ago, egg said:

Onto the actual question, an easy no. The blokes tactics are crude, his playing style awful, and he's only ever played and managed at lower levels.

I beg to differ, this is exactly what skint clubs like ours need. A certain togetherness, punching above our weight, whole is greater than sum of parts, winning ugly playing style, is what is required if we're going to beat relegation.

[egg]

Just now, Singapore Saint said:

I beg to differ, this is exactly what skint clubs like ours need. A certain togetherness, punching above our weight, whole is greater than sum of parts, winning ugly playing style, is what is required if we're going to beat relegation.

That willingness to accept that we're the Luton of the PL is exactly what's wrong with the club, and some of the fan base, in my opinion. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I really want him to succeed now everyone's so certain we'll be relegated.

I voted unsure because although I'm not confident enough to say I actively want him appointed, he's clearly got something about him. Getting Luton to the playoffs is an incredible achievement, let's be honest

[Ex Lion Tamer]

1 hour ago, Nolan said:

Maybe rephrase the question to.

Do you know more about football that the professionals who run the club?

Yes

No

Unsure

What you have to add is "and have you thoroughly researched the managerial market, and put out feelers to prospective candidates so that you know the likes of Benitez/Gallardo are interested in coming here?"

[Singapore Saint]

16 minutes ago, egg said:

That willingness to accept that we're the Luton of the PL is exactly what's wrong with the club, and some of the fan base, in my opinion. 

Tough luck the emir of Dubai isn't casting coquettish glances at us! It's easy to complain but we ain't got a pot to piss in otherwise why did the geniuses at SR spunk 15m quid on Gavin Bazunu hoping he might turn out to be the next Gordon Banks?

Edited 9 November, 2022 by Singapore Saint

[notnowcato]

1 hour ago, Killers Knee said:

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at getting into European competitions?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at mid-table mediocrity in the Premiership?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at great escapes from the foot of the premiership?  No

Is Mad Nate a proven manager at running a Championship side on a tight budget?  Yes

 

Before he joined us….

Was Killer a proven European performer?

Was Killer proven in the Premier league?

Was Killer proven in EPL relegation scraps?

Your weighted questions right back at ya. 

[egg]

12 minutes ago, Singapore Saint said:

Tough luck the emir of Dubai isn't casting coquettish glances at us! It's easy to complain but we ain't got a pot to piss in otherwise why did the geniuses at SR spunk 15m quid on Gavin Bazunu hoping he might turn out to be the next Gordon Banks?

I'm not complaining mate. As to why they did that, I think it shows poor judgement. That's being replicated with Jones. 

[Turkish]

The only postive i could see is that we might get god on our side, but then remembered we've had him/her/they since 1885 and that hasn't gone too well so far.

[Saint Billy]

36 minutes ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

No from me, but this was before I watched his post match interview on Sky last night. With this I will say unsure. It does not feel right but he seems authentic so who knows what we might get. 

He will get my complete support until he doesn't.

 

It was a definite no from me and even more so after watching that. 

The fact that we are considering this guy is so wrong on so many levels. It's like casting your line out to catch a marlin but reeling in a sprat and being told to be happy about it. 

[Killers Knee]

10 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Before he joined us….

Was Killer Wigley a proven European performer?

Was Killer Wigley proven in the Premier league?

Was Killer Wigley proven in EPL relegation scraps?

Your weighted questions right back at ya. 

Speculating with player arbitrage is a different game to gambling with your management.  But sticking to the theme....I fixed your post

[trousers]

I voted unsure, mainly to annoy / trigger @Fitzhugh Fella, my friendly personal  fence-sitter alert klaxon

[Dusic]

In that Sky interview he makes a point of saying that at Luton his group of players would die for him and that at Stoke it was a different scenario.

Thats going to be a big factor at Saints. Assuming that reports are true and the players didn't like/had gronw tired of Ralph then his first impressions over the next month or so will surely be a massive factor in how successful he is.

Ralph made the point multiple times that we have a good group of honest players and I would tend to agree, there doesnt seem to be too many rotten apples and are a lot of players who are still quite new at Saints and personally looking to make their mark on the PL - no reason for them to play up unless Jones comes across as an absolute idiot.

Assuming he keeps Selles who is popular with the squad that should help him also.

Would be fascinating to know how he prepares for that first meeting with the players and what he would say to them.

In many ways his experience at Stoke will have helped him I think and he is probably better for it. Most Managers aside from those who only ever take top jobs at the richest clubs have failed somewhere.

In some sense I like the fact that it will be a proper challenge for him rather than a Benitez type who would just see it as another job.

Definitely a risk, but everything we know of Ankersen suggests he is that type of person so not sure why there is such suprise that he hasn't gone for a more 'obvious' candidate - that isnt his game.

Edited 9 November, 2022 by Dusic

[Barsiem]

Haven't voted, but will back the board.  As has been mentioned, some of those involved in this decision picked Frank for Brentford, who is someone we would love here now

[beatlesaint]

Serious question for all those writing him off straight away - 

How different would this appointment be to when Everton took David Moyes from Preston?

He was exactly the same as Jones, no experience etc but that worked out pretty well.

[gsweet87]

I'd be ok with it. I have an inkling that the people making the decisions know a bit more about him than we do.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

11 minutes ago, trousers said:

I voted unsure, mainly to annoy / trigger @Fitzhugh Fella, my friendly personal  fence-sitter alert klaxon

Back in your natural place. The boat has stopped its rocking

[trousers]

5 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Back in your natural place. The boat has stopped its rocking

 

Edited 9 November, 2022 by trousers

[egg]

10 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Serious question for all those writing him off straight away - 

How different would this appointment be to when Everton took David Moyes from Preston?

He was exactly the same as Jones, no experience etc but that worked out pretty well.

That's a very good comparable to be fair, but it doesn't make me feel any easier that this guy is what we need right now. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, egg said:

That's a very good comparable to be fair, but it doesn't make me feel any easier that this guy is what we need right now. 

Agreed it is, having said that, pretty sure Everton weren't in the bottom three and they probably had a whole pre-season to work with.